The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-07-06
CONFEDERATE FLAGS.
President Cleveland Revokes the
Order for Their Return.

President Cleveland RevOkeS the
Order for Their Return.
A Washington special says that the extra
ordinary outburst Of public sentiment
throughout the country, condemning the re-
turn of captured Confederate flags to the
Governors of the respective Southern States,
had an immediate result at the White House
in the issue Of the following letter from the
President to the Secretary Of War:
II have to-day considered with more care
than when the subject was orally presented
to me the action of your depart
ment directing letters to be addressed to the
Governors Cove Of all the States offering to re-
turn, if desired, to the loyal States the Union
flags captured during the war Of the rebel
lion by the Confederate forces and
afterwards recovered by Government troops;
and to the Confederate States the flags cap
tured by the Union forces, all of which, for
many years, have been packed in boxes and
stored in the cellar and attic of the War De-
partment ] am Of the opinion that the return
of the flags in the manner thus contemplated
is not authorized by existing law, nor justi-
fed as an Executive act. l request there
fore, that no further steps be taken N the
matter, except to examine and inventory
these flags and adopt proper measures for
their preservation. Any direction as to the
final disposition Of them should originate with
Congress Yonrs truly, ,.,.. 49,
Prior to the issue of this letter dispatches
from G. A. R. veterans and others came pour
ing into Washington protesting against the
original order, and legal proceedings in behalf
of the State of Ohio-or at least of the Gov
ernor and leading men OF that State-had been
set on foot to procure an injunction against
the carving out of the order. Governor
Foraker transmitted to the President tele-
gram he had received from the Ohio Depart
ment of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
said to represent 81, 900 ex-sodiers, protesting
against the order, and added for himself:
1sIn transmitting this message l desire to
comply with its request, and do most ear
nestfy protest against the action to which it
relates The patriotic people OF this State are
shocked and Indignant beyond anything can
express. I earnestly request you to revoke
the order that has given such unqualified
offense."
The Governor also sent the following to
General Boyn6bn at Washington:
"Get the bess legal advice, and If action can
be maintained have appropriate legal pro-
ceedings instituted to enjoin the return OF the
rebel flags, especially those captured by Ohio
troops. II this outrage must be committed
it will at least help us to endure it with great
er patience to know that all lawful means
have been used to prevent it, All expenses
will be provided"
General Boynto1i, acting upon Governor
Foraker's instructions, engaged e4-Secretary
George s. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts,, and
Judge ShNabarger, of Ohio, as counsel to
institute proceedings to enjoin the Secretary
of War from carrying out the order. The
matter would have been brought be-
fore the Supreme Court of the District
The papers were to have been based upon the
claim that the Secretary Of War was about
to dispose Of public property without au-
thority of law